John Rimmer, TFWA conference, research and corporate affairs director, has been named TFWA managing director, effective Oct. 1.

Rimmer succeeds Alain Maingreaud, who has held the position since 2010. Maingreaud will be assuming a new part-time position as associate director, with a view to undertaking some personal projects.

As associate director, Maingreaud will report to Rimmer, assisting him on various projects including the organization of the association’s two biggest events, TFWA World Exhibition & Conference and TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference. Maingreaud has been with the association since 1995.

Rimmer joined TFWA in October 2012. He has been involved in the duty free and travel retail industry for seventeen years in a variety of positions including editor of Duty-Free News International from 2004 to 2006, deputy director of business development at French travel retailer Aelia (now Lagardère Travel Retail), and as executive director business development of The Moodie Report (now The Moodie Davitt Report).

As managing director, he will report to the TFWA president, assuming full responsibility for the association’s events and activities, and helping define its strategy as approved by the board and management committee.

Commenting on the changes, TFWA President Erik Juul-Mortensen said: “Alain has been a stalwart of the association and has made an extremely important contribution to its success for over twenty years. The board and management committee are very grateful to him for his work over the years and we are delighted that he will continue to serve TFWA as associate director, providing support to John and the permanent staff on a number of projects.

“John is known to many people in the industry, and in his five years with TFWA so far he has driven a number of successful new initiatives as well as strengthening our vital conferences & research division. He has also played a significant role in managing the association’s charity initiative, TFWA Care. We are certain he is the right person to lead the association’s next phase of development, and to strengthen our links with industry stakeholders – firstly our members and exhibitors, but also all those who visit our events, along with trade associations, press and partners around the globe.

“As part of his overall responsibilities, John will continue to oversee the running of TFWA’s conferences, assisted by conference manager Michele Miranda, and research & corporate, assisted by Maha Abdennbi and Sabine Parmentier.

“The board, management committee and staff of TFWA look forward to working closely with John, who will have the full support of the whole team as we move into an exciting new phase for the association.”